HB 1739 increases employer contributions to Oklahoma's law enforcement retirement system from 11% to 16.5% over five years, starting July 2025. It changes how retirement benefits are calculated for certain officers by using the highest salary for similar positions (instead of final average salary) to determine payments. The bill directly affects current and future retirees in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, including highway patrol officers, investigators, and other covered law enforcement roles. Benefits will be based on the greater of either the top salary for comparable positions or the member's final average salary, multiplied by 2.5% per year of service.
HB 4321 amends Oklahoma's Elevator Safety Act to strengthen enforcement and public safety processes. It requires the Department of Labor to create an enforcement program including random inspections, written notices for violations, and public awareness efforts, while prohibiting retroactive application of new safety rules to existing buildings unless documented hazards exist. The bill also establishes a process for anyone to submit written complaints about elevator safety concerns, with the Department required to investigate if reasonable grounds are found. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting elevator owners, operators, and the Department of Labor.
SB 169 increases annual longevity pay for eligible Oklahoma state employees based on years of service, with payments rising from $250 to $3,000 per year for 20+ years of service. It directly affects most full-time and part-time state employees (excluding elected officials, school districts, and certain boards/commissions), including conservation district workers under the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. The bill updates payment schedules in the statute, clarifies eligibility rules for continuous service (allowing 30-day breaks), and specifies that part-time employees working over 150 hours monthly count toward eligibility. The changes apply to employees certified by their agency and take effect upon enactment.
HB 3794 modifies Oklahoma's licensing rules for professions by restricting when criminal history can deny a license. It requires licensing boards to determine if an offense "substantially relates" to the job duties and "poses a reasonable threat" to public safety before denying an application, considering factors like offense seriousness, time elapsed, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill creates a pre-application process (Section F-G) where applicants can request a written determination on eligibility before applying, with boards required to respond within 60-90 days. It also prohibits denial based on sealed/expunged records, most convictions over five years old (with specific exceptions like sex offenses), or vague "good character" standards.
HB 3657 amends Oklahoma's definition of "employment" in the Labor Act, primarily affecting agricultural workers, crew leaders, and domestic workers. It clarifies that agricultural workers become covered employees if their employer paid $20,000+ in cash wages during a calendar year or employed 10+ workers for 20 weeks. The bill also defines "crew leaders" (who supply farm laborers) and specifies when they or the farm operator are treated as employers. Additionally, it updates domestic service coverage to require $1,000+ in quarterly cash wages for workers to be considered employees. The bill is proposed for the 2026 legislative session.
HB 3127 protects Oklahoma medical marijuana patients and caregivers from discrimination in employment, public assistance, and firearm ownership. It prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing, or penalizing individuals solely for being a licensed medical marijuana user, and bars denial of Medicaid, SNAP, or firearm rights based on that status. However, the bill mandates a "zero-tolerance" policy for safety-sensitive jobs (like operating vehicles, handling hazardous materials, or direct patient care), allowing employers to enforce drug testing and discipline for marijuana use at work. Employers may still maintain written drug testing policies under state standards, but cannot deny employment based solely on medical marijuana license status or a positive test if the user is licensed and not impaired at work.
HB 1016 requires content creators in Oklahoma who feature minors in compensated online videos to set aside earnings in a trust account for the minor until they turn 18. It mandates detailed record-keeping of minor-related content, views, and earnings, and allows minors aged 13+ to demand removal of their likeness from content. Content creators must maintain these records until the minor turns 21 and face civil penalties for violations, including lawsuits for unpaid trust funds. The law directly affects minors appearing in compensated video content on platforms like social media or streaming services within Oklahoma.
HB 2206 amends Oklahoma's law enforcement retirement system to expand membership eligibility. It specifically adds school resource officers employed by Oklahoma public schools (who elect to join by November 30, 2025) to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, while updating definitions for existing members like communications staff and park rangers. The bill clarifies service credit transfer rules and sets new eligibility standards, including physical exams and moral character requirements for all applicants. These changes directly affect current and future law enforcement personnel in defined roles within Oklahoma's public safety agencies.
HB 4253, the "Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act," requires businesses receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as tax credits, grants, or job creation programs) to comply with specific labor practices. It prohibits employers from bypassing secret ballot elections for union representation, sharing employee contact information with unions without written consent, or signing neutrality agreements that prevent them from discussing union issues with workers. The law applies to all projects funded by state incentives and forbids employers from requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Violations may result in the state recovering funds, with reports investigated by the Attorney General.
HB 1889 adjusts retirement benefits for a specific group of Oklahoma public employees called "Tweeners" who retired before 1989 or 1990 without 20 years of service by May 1983. It requires the Pension and Retirement Board to calculate a cost-of-living adjustment based on inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) to restore 100% of lost benefits due to price increases since their retirement start date. The adjustment applies to Tweeners receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025, and becomes effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects approximately 1,200 retired public employees in Oklahoma's state retirement systems who were previously ineligible for full inflation adjustments.
